Wethersfield Officials Say 'State Of Town' Is Good

CHRISTOPHER HOFFMANSpecial to The Courant

Wethersfield officials say town's prospects appear good, point to high school project, economic development

WETHERSFIELD — The town's fiscal health is excellent, business activity is increasing and its biggest public works project is proceeding on schedule, town officials said at the annual State of the Town event Thursday.

"I feel like we have plenty of good news," Mayor Paul Montinieri told an audience of about 75.

Town Manager Jeff Bridges reported that taxes are stable and the town's fund balance has increased to 11.5 percent of its budget. The strong fund balance helped the town win an upgrade last year to an advantageous bond rating.

The $84 million reconstruction of Wethersfield High — the town's largest public works project — is going well and on schedule, Bridges said.

"As you get access, you'll see the value of that $84 million," he said.

Over the last year, the town has installed an improved emergency services and town radio system, hired new finance and library directors and consolidated the parks and recreation and social services departments, Bridges said.

Montinieri said the town successfully fostered economic development last year. Officials enticed D&D Market to an empty space in town and are close to razing the old Weight Watchers building on the Silas Deane Highway to enable its redevelopment, he said.

"We've said we have to make Wethersfield more attractive [to business]," Montinieri said. "I think we've done very well."

Planning and Economic Development Director Peter Gillespie reported that the number of new businesses and building permits went up last year.

"The state of the town is very positive," he said.

But amid all the good news, the town's state legislators warned of storm clouds on the horizon. State Rep. Russell Morin, D-Wethersfield, and state Sen. Paul Doyle, D-Wethersfield, told listeners to expect cuts in state spending.

The state faces billion-dollar deficits in the next two years, and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has said he will not close the gap with tax increases, making reductions inevitable, they said.

"It's going to be a difficult year," Doyle said. "Everyone in this room will not be happy. Everyone in concept wants lower taxes and to make cuts, but when it's on the table, you realize the impact."

Doyle and Morin said they hoped that Malloy would not propose municipal and school aid reductions in the budget he will present next month. Both said they would fight to protect the town's interests.

"My goal for the upcoming session is always the same," Morin said. "I always look out for the Town of Wethersfield."

Morin, meanwhile, told listeners that regionalization is under discussion at the State Capitol. Tying state aid to the pooling of services is one proposal, he said.

"There's talk of regionalization," Morin said. "In some areas, that may be something that works great. In other areas, it may not."